PATROLMAN ROBERT BOWERS
BADGE # 528
E.O.W.: 12/12/1955
On the evening of December 12, 1955, Patrolman Robert Evans attempted to pull over a motorcycle for running a stop sign at Fern and Elm Street. Instead of pulling to the curb, the motorcyclist sped off, leading Evans on a high-speed chase through city streets. As the motorcycle came into North Park, thirty-three-year old Patrolman Robert Bowers saw the speeding bike and joined the chase.
As Patrolman Bowers went through the intersection of Texas and Polk Street, his patrol car collided with a pickup truck already in the intersection. The impact of the crash sent the police car spinning out of control. Somehow, as the car was spinning, the door came open and Patrolman Bowers was thrown to the street where he suffered massive head and back injuries.
Despite the huge crash behind him, the motorcyclist sped off. Patrolman Bowers was rushed to Mercy hospital but died at 11:35 that night.
His crash was the second of three serious accidents involving San Diego police officers between December 11th and December 13th. His was the only fatality.
The next day the motorcyclist, 22-year-old Charles Sheffield, was arrested and charged with manslaughter for Several days after the crash, Chief Elmer Jansen told the San Diego Union that Patrolman Bowers probably would have been saved if his police car had been equipped with seat belts and better door locks. The department was scheduled to take delivery of just such police cars the next week.
Patrolman Bowers wife Virginia and his 5-year-old daughter, Barbara, survived him.
To make Patrolman Bowers story even more tragic, Barbara Bowers was 17 when she was killed in a traffic accident on August 9, 1966.
She died of massive head injuries after she fell from a motorcycle.
BADGE # 528
E.O.W.: 12/12/1955
On the evening of December 12, 1955, Patrolman Robert Evans attempted to pull over a motorcycle for running a stop sign at Fern and Elm Street. Instead of pulling to the curb, the motorcyclist sped off, leading Evans on a high-speed chase through city streets. As the motorcycle came into North Park, thirty-three-year old Patrolman Robert Bowers saw the speeding bike and joined the chase.
As Patrolman Bowers went through the intersection of Texas and Polk Street, his patrol car collided with a pickup truck already in the intersection. The impact of the crash sent the police car spinning out of control. Somehow, as the car was spinning, the door came open and Patrolman Bowers was thrown to the street where he suffered massive head and back injuries.
Despite the huge crash behind him, the motorcyclist sped off. Patrolman Bowers was rushed to Mercy hospital but died at 11:35 that night.
His crash was the second of three serious accidents involving San Diego police officers between December 11th and December 13th. His was the only fatality.
The next day the motorcyclist, 22-year-old Charles Sheffield, was arrested and charged with manslaughter for Several days after the crash, Chief Elmer Jansen told the San Diego Union that Patrolman Bowers probably would have been saved if his police car had been equipped with seat belts and better door locks. The department was scheduled to take delivery of just such police cars the next week.
Patrolman Bowers wife Virginia and his 5-year-old daughter, Barbara, survived him.
To make Patrolman Bowers story even more tragic, Barbara Bowers was 17 when she was killed in a traffic accident on August 9, 1966.
She died of massive head injuries after she fell from a motorcycle.
PATROLMAN ROBERT BOWERS
BADGE # 528
E.O.W.: 12/12/1955
On the evening of December 12, 1955, Patrolman Robert Evans attempted to pull over a motorcycle for running a stop sign at Fern and Elm Street. Instead of pulling to the curb, the motorcyclist sped off, leading Evans on a high-speed chase through city streets. As the motorcycle came into North Park, thirty-three-year old Patrolman Robert Bowers saw the speeding bike and joined the chase.
As Patrolman Bowers went through the intersection of Texas and Polk Street, his patrol car collided with a pickup truck already in the intersection. The impact of the crash sent the police car spinning out of control. Somehow, as the car was spinning, the door came open and Patrolman Bowers was thrown to the street where he suffered massive head and back injuries.
Despite the huge crash behind him, the motorcyclist sped off. Patrolman Bowers was rushed to Mercy hospital but died at 11:35 that night.
His crash was the second of three serious accidents involving San Diego police officers between December 11th and December 13th. His was the only fatality.
The next day the motorcyclist, 22-year-old Charles Sheffield, was arrested and charged with manslaughter for Several days after the crash, Chief Elmer Jansen told the San Diego Union that Patrolman Bowers probably would have been saved if his police car had been equipped with seat belts and better door locks. The department was scheduled to take delivery of just such police cars the next week.
Patrolman Bowers wife Virginia and his 5-year-old daughter, Barbara, survived him.
To make Patrolman Bowers story even more tragic, Barbara Bowers was 17 when she was killed in a traffic accident on August 9, 1966.
She died of massive head injuries after she fell from a motorcycle.
BADGE # 528
E.O.W.: 12/12/1955
On the evening of December 12, 1955, Patrolman Robert Evans attempted to pull over a motorcycle for running a stop sign at Fern and Elm Street. Instead of pulling to the curb, the motorcyclist sped off, leading Evans on a high-speed chase through city streets. As the motorcycle came into North Park, thirty-three-year old Patrolman Robert Bowers saw the speeding bike and joined the chase.
As Patrolman Bowers went through the intersection of Texas and Polk Street, his patrol car collided with a pickup truck already in the intersection. The impact of the crash sent the police car spinning out of control. Somehow, as the car was spinning, the door came open and Patrolman Bowers was thrown to the street where he suffered massive head and back injuries.
Despite the huge crash behind him, the motorcyclist sped off. Patrolman Bowers was rushed to Mercy hospital but died at 11:35 that night.
His crash was the second of three serious accidents involving San Diego police officers between December 11th and December 13th. His was the only fatality.
The next day the motorcyclist, 22-year-old Charles Sheffield, was arrested and charged with manslaughter for Several days after the crash, Chief Elmer Jansen told the San Diego Union that Patrolman Bowers probably would have been saved if his police car had been equipped with seat belts and better door locks. The department was scheduled to take delivery of just such police cars the next week.
Patrolman Bowers wife Virginia and his 5-year-old daughter, Barbara, survived him.
To make Patrolman Bowers story even more tragic, Barbara Bowers was 17 when she was killed in a traffic accident on August 9, 1966.
She died of massive head injuries after she fell from a motorcycle.
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